Shutter Count Number for your Canon EOS DSLR

Shutter Count Number is important – A DSLR’s shutter will eventually fail

Just as with any piece of mechanical equipment, a camera has a lifetime that is based on the number of shutter actuationsotherwise known as shutter clicks or the shutter count. Sooner or later, your DSLR’s shutter will wear, slow down and eventually stop functioning. At this point, you may either need to have the shutter replaced or purchase a new camera.

Usually, you’ll have to take a couple hundred thousand photos before this happens though, and Canon has allegedly released a particular shutter actuation threshold to indicate the number of shots expected for each EOS model before the shutter fails. Typically this count is between 100,000 and 300,000 shutter actuations, with the latter limit associated with the EOS-1D models. In fact, the Camera Shutter Life Expectancy Database is a really neat user-based site for DSLR models of several brands, including Canon. There you can find out the average life expectancy for your EOS model(s).

Interestingly, there’s no official Canon based application to find the shutter count for an EOS DSLR, however, there are a few free online tools that may help you to do this. There’s no tool that works seamlessly for all EOS models, let alone on both Windows and Mac platforms. But for the most part, there’s a utility available for your EOS model. All Most of these utilities are free, and if you can spare, donate to the developers. They’ve helped us photographers out a lot.

Freeware Utilities for finding shutter count:

40DShutterCount & EOSInfo

40DShutterCount Utility (Version 2) – developed by Astrojargon, was originally for the EOS 40D, but it can work with other EOS models. Mac users can utilize this version, and the newer version, EOSInfo, is currently only for Windows users. The utility is free and will work on most EOS models. It is stated on the Astrojargon website that:

Internet Explorer (32 bit) is the recommended browser for EOSCount, from which you will need to install the ActiveX control which will read the data directly from your camera which needs to be connected to your PC via USB. Google Chrome can also be used to utilize EOSCount, but you’ll have to browse using the IE tab plug-in.

Magic Lantern

Magic Lantern– may work for some EOS, including the 550D (Rebel T2i). All you need to do is install Magic Lantern on your EOS, press MENU and then DISP. The shutter count will appear at the bottom of the screen. Magic Lantern shutter counter as Magic Lantern in whole is completely FREE.

Shuttercount App for Mac users

ShutterCount is an iOS App which gets it all very simple. The shutter count can be read from a USB-connected camera and it provides accurate data that can not be attainable by for example reading the EXIF.
With the ShutterCount app you can test whether a new camera is actually new or just check an already used camera to see if the pre-owner claims are true and there is no count limit with this app but it counts only still photos taken – (no video recordings counted). Supported cameras are:

Camera Shutter Count

Camera Shutter Count – Even though Canon doesn’t have shutter count included on the EXIF information of an image file, as opposed to Nikon, camershuttercount.comutilizes the latest unedited image to give an approximate number of shutter clicks. It is almost guaranteed to work with images from EOS-ID models among a few other EOS models. The most likely compatible EOS models are:

1D-Count Online

1D-Count Online – from Foxbat Photography, is exclusively for EOS-1D models except the Mark III or later versions. The utility is available for download or can be utilized via the online version. The shutter count is read from the latest JPEG or RAW file.

Final thoughts…

It makes sense to know your shutter count, even if it’s an approximation, so as to have an idea what may be left of the shutter. This information is especially useful to a person who wishes to buy a used or refurbished DSLR. The camera may look brand new on the outside, but the state of the shutter can be a different scenario. Some persons may ask, “Why not just use the image count on the camera instead of using a utility?” This can work, but what happens when the image count is reset? Therefore, it’s a good idea to find a more foolproof way of knowing the shutter count. If for some reason you’re not comfortable with using freeware tools, you can always send your DSLR to Canon and request a shutter count.

Don’t be alarmed by manufacturers life expectancy, with Canon Cameras that number is around 150.000 shutters, but I personally know EOS cameras that went way over 600.000 images and still counting. It all depends on how you treat your camera.

It’s easy to think that because your shutter may die you now need to be restrictive with taking shots. But then again, what artist is restrictive in his/her creations? What’s recommended is to somehow make your camera ‘pay for itself’, even if you are an amateur and/or not necessarily into the business of photography. Relax and stop finding excuses not to make more images, now shoot ;)

About Shane Brown-Daniels

I'm a freelance writer and event photographer who is always up for an adventure. From capturing the beauty of a woman, the strength of a man, onto the adrenaline-pumped action scene, you'll find me aiming for the shot.

the eosInfo website says that it is NOT compatible with the canon EOS 500D, which also should be true, as canon has disabled the shutter count on 500D, and camerashuttercount.com says it has been tested with 500D but doesn’t work for me, but how should it if canon does make that in the camera

Some Canon 5D’s will not display a shutter count. This is not typical, but it does happen.

http://www.facebook.com/leigh.cojocar Leigh Cojocar

I just bought a canon 60D used for a steal of a deal, I used the EOScount. cost me a dollar something but gave me a answer of 14,368. So really only 14% of its expected shutter rating.

tempted to take a few pictures and do it again to see how accurate it is.

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

Please let us know.

Sylvia Galloway

Anyone have a sure fire way to get the shutter count on a classic 5D?

http://www.browndaniels.net/ Shane

Working on it.

Matthew Parks

Has this been figured out yet? Far as I can tell, sending out to canon seems to be the only way to get a count for the 5Dc.

http://www.facebook.com/IAmPie Pietro Baroni

Hi, I have magic lantern on my camera (550D) and it works beautifully, but I’m buying a used 5D MkII and I want to check the actuations number. So I am trying 40DShutterCount on my mac and EOSinfo on a pc, both with my 550D to see if the number is the same through magic lantern and through the utilities via computer. The only thing is that I can’t get it to work! it gives me errors on both OSs and I can’t see the actuations number. So I wonder if it’s my camera that doesn’t work, I think that ML installs a slightly modified firmware on the camera so this might prevent the two utilities from accessing the camera. I tried with and without the memory card on which ML sits on.
So I am hoping it will work on the 5D, as I can’t have it for long (it’s not mine yet, ndr).
Anybody have the same issue? Managed to solve it?

http://www.browndaniels.net/ Shane

You mentioned that you used EOSinfo. Just curious as to what browser you used. We’ll check it out though.

http://profile.yahoo.com/UGJSDZCC3NHGVVCSVTESULS7KQ oredadrev

Hi! For everyone’s information, EOSCount is not free. you can check it out yourself

http://www.browndaniels.net/ Shane

You’re correct. Once upon a time it wasn’t so. Will update article.

R1D1

Unfortunately the shiester doesn’t say so. I downloaded and installed it. But instead of getting a shutter count for my 6d I got an “available” message, with a BUY button next to it. That’s a deceptive practice and that SOB will never get a cent out of me.

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

That is so sad, after popularity of this article, most of the program owners started to charge for their software. I don’t blame them, but make us look bad.

I still recommend Magic Lantern, you can check shutter count, and format card. Piece of cake.

Good Morning Sue, just let me know if you need help.
I just tried Windows app, you have to install it, but it works, I tried it for Rebel T2i and 5D Mark II both working, 60D shouldn’t be problem.

http://thetrachanh.blogspot.com/ sue

thanksss a million again…am trying it on windows sure this would be a great help! :)

Sue

Hanna

I’ve tried all of them, but they don’t work. Can someone please help? I have 500D.

(Sorry for my English.)

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

Hello Hanna,
please try Magic Lantern (ML), after you copy files on your card, and turn on your camera it should install, then you press delete (erase) key, and go to debug part of menu, and there you should be able to see shutter count.
Let me know if you run into problems or if this helps.
If you need more help, I can help you over skype.

Tommy.

Hanna

Is this app safe? I found this:
THIS IS DANGEROUS AND MIGHT DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA. *
* IF IT BREAKS, YOU GET TO KEEP BOTH PIECES

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

Lol :) holding camera is not safe, it could fall and hurt your legs too, driving in the car or airplane is not safe. Walking on the street is not safe. Off course they have to write disclaimer, I have it on Canon5Dtips site, cause whatever you do, you do on your own.

But I have it on 550D and 5D Mark Ii, and you should do more reading, not 1 camera reported fault to them cause of this firmware.

But hey, you would not use it, just install it, and check shutter count and format your card and delete it, … So where is harm, but as said on their and Canon5Dtips, whatever you do, you do on your own risk.

If you want to find out shutter count free and easy, thats the way, if you want to buy software to check, you can always do it, but read terms, maybe there as well says, if something goes wrong it’s not their fault.

:)

P.S.http://www.magiclantern.fm/faq.html#q5
“In practice, we are doing our best to prevent these situations, and thousands of users are enjoying it without problems. However, this does not represent a guarantee – use it at your own risk.

Actually, using Magic Lantern we have successfully unbricked a 5D Mark II damaged by a USB remote controller app.”

http://foliovision.com Alec Kinnear

This works. There’s a total and then two numbers. The number appears accurate in my case (around 20K exposures).

And Hanna those are just standard disclaimers. Canon puts worse disclaimers in the box if you care to read the documents which came with your camera.

Luciano Rosa

Seems like nothing works with the Canon 1100d/T3. Iv’e tried everything.

shari

This does not work on my 5D. In fact I’m having trouble find one that does. Anyone else found a program that will work with the 5D?

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

I use Magic Lantern, you can buy, or use old CF card to install it, and have it just for check, or install it on your card, check Shutter count, then format card.

shari

I saw that one, but was leary about installing software on my camera. Didn’t realize it could be loaded to a CF card. Thanks!

http://www.canon5dtips.com/ Tom K.

It loads from CF to your camera temp memory, but you can format your CF and it will go back as it was. I have 2 cards, one without and one with ML, and when I put one without ML, it loads as normal and one with ML, it loads with Magic Lantern …

Phil

EOSCount is not freeware. You must pay via PayPal for each use. Features like being able to list the camera’s serial number and shutter count in the application don’t appear to work.